Portable irrigation dam



Oct- '20, 1953 i w. D. SELL 2,655,791

PORTABLE IRRIGATION DAM Filed Dec. 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2, WILSON o. szu.

INVENTOR Oct.- 20, 1953 w. D. SELL 9 PORTABLE- IRRIGATION DAM Filed Dec. 4, 195;]. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4.

. INVENTOR WILSON D. SELL ATTORNE S Patented Oct. 20, 195@ UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 2,655,791 PORTABLE IRRIGATION DAM Wilson Sell, Clyde Park,.Mont., assignor of one-hall, to Paul Warfel, Clyde Park, .Mont. Application December 4, 1951, Serial No. 259,818

'1 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in irri gation dams, which are used in irrigation systems to control the passage of water through the lII'I- gation ditches, and has forits primary object to provide a compact, sturdy and foldable dam, which can be securely mounted in various positions in ditches of varying widths, which can be adjusted without removal from a ditch and which can be conveniently removed and manually transported to a new locale. I

A further object of this invention is to provide a pair of hingedly connected panels, each of which is provided with removable ground engag ing means to secure it in position in a ditch, the panels being movable relative to each other so that they can be securely anchored in a ditch in alignment or in any desired angular relationship.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a brace member for the panels, which is attached to the panels in a manner to permit it to extend at any angle forwardly or rearwardly therefrom for ground engagement in retaining the panels perpendicular to the water flow.

A stil1 further object of this invention is to provide removable anchoring means for each of the panels of the dam, the anchoring means being positioned so as to also rigidify the panels and being removable from ground engagement, so that the panels can be adjusted relative to each other, without removing the panels from the ditches.

A still further object of this invention is to provide each of the panels of the dam with cooperating means for carryingthe panels in col-'- lapsed positions, the panels being locked together, with the brace member securely held therebetween, when the panels'are'manuall'y carried;

These and ancillary objects and structural features of merit are attained by this invention, the preferred embodiment of which is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the" accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective, illustrating the dam in the main or feeder ditch;

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the dam, with one of the panels or wings thereof swung to a position to close off. the entrance to the lateral from the main ditch; c

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the dam, showing the same in a partly open position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dam in a completely closed position for manual transportation, and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the dam 10, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, is provided f-oruse in controlling the passage of water in an irrigation system. Such a system usually consists of a main or feeder ditch A from which laterals B extend. Ordinarily, the water flows throughthe feeder A, which is situated at the upper side of a sloping field, and flows down along the laterals. A plurality of dams, such as the dam It, are employed, when the Water supply is low or when it is desired to store up or retain the supply of water in certain of the laterals or feeder ditch A.

The dam It includes a pair of substantially rectangular shaped wings or panels I2 and M, which are hinged together at their adjoining inner side edges. An elongated hinge knuckle I6 is formed on the inner side edge of the panel 12 and a pair of spaced hinge knuckles I8 are formed on the inner side edge of the panel 54 at the opposing ends thereof, the knuckles l8 straddling the knuckle I6 and receiving a rod 2%, which forms the hinge pin. The rod is fixed within the knuckles against axial movement by frictional engagement with the knuckles and is formed at its upper end with an offset eye 22, which extends laterally therefrom and is disposed rearwardly of the panels, when the panels are in alignment in their completely open position, as seen in Figure 1. The lower end 24 of the rod projects downwardly below the lower coplanar edges of the panels and terminates in a point.

The outer side edges 26 and 28 of the panels are straight and are beveled at their lower ends, so that the panels conform to the cross sectional shape of the ditches. Eachof the panels is provided with means for anchoring it in the bottom of a ditch, then-reams including vertically spaced and aligned sleeves 3B and 32, which are formed on the rearward face of each of the panels and are spaced inwardly from the outer side edges 26 and '28 thereof. The sleeves include semi-circular center sections 34, from which wings 36 extend laterally in opposite directions, the Wings being welded as at'38 to the rear surface of eachv of the panels. Elongated rods 40' are slidably' dis posedin thevertically aligned sleeves 36 and 32, the center sections 36 thereof cooperating with the rear surface of the panels to receive the rods. The rods are formed at their upper ends with eyes 52 and the lowerends 44 thereof are faired for ground engagement;

A rectangularopening 46 is formed in the panel 14, adjacent the inner side edge thereof,

the gate is provided to take care of the overflow and prevent overflowing of the water in front of the dam. Of course, each of the panels can be provided with an opening and gate, if desired.

A brace member 56 is provided for rigidifying the dam in a perpendicular position in the ditch and includes an elongated rod, which has an eye 58 formed on its upper end and swivelly disposed within the eye 22 on the center rod 24. The lower end 66 of the brace member is pointed for penetration in the bottom of the ditch or the side thereof, as seen in Figure 2. and means is provided for limiting the penetration of the rod in the ground. The means includes a foot 62, which is in angle iron form. The flange 64 of the foot is disposed transversely of the brace member and is formed with a center opening '66, which receives the brace member. The flange 64 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured at the desired point upwardly from the lower end 60 and functions to limit the ground penetration of the brace rod 56.

Means is provided for enabling the dam. to be manually transported in a convenient and compact manner, so that the dam can be moved from one ditch to repositioning in another ditch. The means includes a pair of U-shaped handles 66 and I0, which are preferably formed of flexible material. The lower bifurcated ends 12 of the legs of each handle are inserted through opening 14 formed in the panels at the upper ends thereof. The handles are disposed on each of the panels, so that when the panels are collapsed and their rearward faces are brought into confronting positions, the handles are in alignment. The handles, when held together, will then look the panels I2 and I 4 together, with their rearward faces being in contact and with the brace rod 56 being securely held against movement between the panels at the hinge knuckles.

For the purpose of enabling the dam ill to be used with ditches that are wider than the combined width of the panels [2 and M, which can be formed of any desired width and length, an extension '76 is provided, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. The extension 76 includes a flat rectangular plate 18, which is formed from the same material as the panels and which is of a length equal to the length of the straight outer side edges of the panels, which it complements. One side edge of the plate 18 is bent back upon itself and then bent into a U-shaped connector 80, which is adapted to frictionally engage the outer straight side edge of either panel of the dam. The extension, thus, complements the panel to which it is attached and can be of any width. Preferably, a plurality of extensions of varying widths can be provided for each dam so that a single dam can be used with ditches of varying widths.

In use, as seen in Figure 1, the dam I0 is disposed perpendicularly in the feeder ditch A upin contact with the bedof the ditch and may be slightly inserted therein, with the outer side edges tightly engaging the apposing side of the ditch. The anchoring rods 40 have their lower ends anchored in the bottom of the ditch and the brace member 56 extends rearwardly from the vertically disposed panels and has its outer end inserted in the bottom of the ditch up to the foot 64, which limits the degree of penetration of the end.

In installing the dam in this position, the lower end 24 of the rod is flrst inserted in the bottom of the ditch, as the panels are spread apart and lowered into the ditch and, at the same time, the brace member is properly positioned and inserted into the bottom of the ditch diagonally of the panels. The rods 40 are then pushed into the ground by grasping the upper eye ends 42 and pushing down on the rods.

It will be noted that the brace rod bears against the upper rearwardly offset eye 22 on the center or hinge rod 26 and therefore rigidifies the center of the dam. The rods 40, being disposed on the panels slightly outwardly from the longitudinal center lines of the panels rigidify the panels, as well as anchoring them in the ditch. If desired, brace rods, similar to the rod 56 can be attached to the eyes 42 on the rods 80.

In converting the dam from its position, shown in Figure 1, to the position thereof as seen in Figure 2 does not necessitate withdrawal of the dam from the ditch. To permit a delayed flow of water through the feeder ditch A and close off the lateral B, it is only necessary to pull the brace member 56 vertically. The upward pull on the brace member will release the embedded end, as the brace member swings about its fulcrum point. I'he rod 40 for the panel i2 is then raised sufliciently to withdraw it from its embedded position in the bottom of the ditch A and the panel [2 is swung about the hinge rod 20 relative to the mouth of the lateral B. The lateral B, being of a width only slightly smaller than the feeder ditch A is wider than the panel 12. Therefore, the extension 76 is attached to the outer side edge of the panel l2. After the extension is attached, the panel is swung until the outer edge of the extension engages the remote side of the mouth of the lateral. The rod 40 for the panel 12 is then pushed downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the ditch.

If necessary to stabilize the dam, the brace member 56 can be swung forwardly of the panels and inserted in the opposite side of the feeder ditch A, as seen in Figure 2. When the dam is removed from the ditch, thepanels [2 and M are swung about the hinge rod and their rearward faces are brought into confronting engagement. The brace member is located in contact with the hinge knuckles, as seenv in Figure 4, and the confronting handles 58 and 16 are grasped in one hand. By holding the handles together in one hand, the panels are locked together and the brace member 55 is clamped therebetween.

Thus, it can be seen that the dam can be easily transported for repositioning in another ditch. Of course, the panels are made from a sturdy light-weight material, so that they will be able to resist the water pressure and, at the same time, be easy to carry.

Since other modifications will occur to those skilled in this art, this invention is only to be limited in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of complemental panels hingedly connected along their vertical axes, means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position and for rigidifying it in said position and a brace member swivelly connected to the panels and adapted to be inserted in the ground at a point remote from the positioned panels, and means transversely mounted on said brace member for limiting the penetration thereof in the ground.

2. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of elongated complemental panels having interengaging hinge knuckles formed on their adjoining inner side edges, a rod inserted through said knuckles and forming a hinge pin, said rod having a lower end extending below the lower ends of the panels and adapted to be inserted into the bottom of the ditch, an eye formed on the upper end of the rod above the panels, a brace member swivelly connected at one end to the eye and adapted to be anchored in the bottom of a ditch at a point spaced from the panels and means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position in a ditch and for rigidifying it in said position.

3. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of elongated complemental panels having interengaging hinge knuckles formed on their adjoining inner side edges, a rod inserted through said knuckles and forming a hinge pin, said rod having a lower end extending below the lower ends of the panels, an eye formed on the upper end of the rod above the panels, a brace member swivelly connected at one end to the eye and adapted to be anchored in the bottom of a ditch at a point spaced from the panels and means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position in a ditch and for rigiditying it in said position, said last means including a sleeve formed vertically on each panel adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof and a rod slidably disposed through said sleeve and of a length greater than the panel so that the lower end thereof can be inserted in the ground while the upper end is above the panel.

4. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of elongated complemental panels having interengaging hinge knuckles formed on their adjoining inner side edges, a rod inserted through said knuckles and forming a hinge pin, said rod having a lower end extending below the lower ends of the panels, an eye formed on the upper end of the rod above the panels, a brace member swivelly connected at one end to the eye and adapted to be anchored in the bottom of a ditch at a point spaced from the panels and means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position in a ditch and for rigidifying it in said position, said last means including a sleeve formed vertically on each panel adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof and a rod slidably disposed through said sleeve and of a length greater than the panel so that the lower end thereof can be inserted in the ground while the upper end is above the panel, said brace member being straight and a foot transversely fixed thereon to limit the penetration thereof in the ground.

5. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of elongated complemental panels having interengagin hinge knuckles formed on their adjoining inner side edges, a rod inserted through said knuckles and forming a hinge pin, said rod having a lower end extending below the lower ends of the panels, an eye formed on the upper end of the rod above the panels, a brace member swivelly connected at one end to the eye and adapted to be anchored in the bottom of a ditch at a point spaced from the panels and means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position in a ditch and for rigidifying it in said position, said last means including a sleeve formed vertically on each panel adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof and a rod slidably disposed through said sleeve and of a length greater than the panel so that the lower end thereof can be inserted in the ground while the upper end is above the panel, and handles formed on the upper end of each of the panels, said handles being located so that when the panels are brought together the handles are in confronting relation and can be both held together in one hand to lock the panels together with the brace member clamped therebetween.

6. A portable dam for irrigation ditches comprising a pair of elongated complemental panels having interengaging hinge knuckles formed on their adjoining inner side edges, a rod inserted through said knuckles and forming a hinge pin, said rod having a lower end extending below the lower ends of the panels, an eye formed on the upper end of the rod above the panels, a brace member swivelly connected at one end to the eye and adapted to be anchored in the bottom of a ditch at a point spaced from the panels and means carried by each panel for anchoring it in a vertical position in a ditch and for rigidifying it in said position, said last means including a sleeve formed vertically on each panel adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof and a rod slidably disposed through said sleeve and of a length greater than the panel so that the lower end thereof can be inserted in the ground while the upper end is above the panel, an extension for said panels and means for securing the extension to the outer side edge of the panels so that it extends outwardly therefrom in substantially the same plane and comprising a sliding connection between said extension and said panels.

7. A dam for irrigation ditches comprising at least one panel adapted to be placed in a vertical position in a ditch, a brace member swivelly connected to the panel and adapted to be inserted in the ground at a point remote from the positioned panel, and means on said brace member for limiting the penetration of the brace member into the ground comprising a foot of angle iron formation one flange of which is presented to the ground to resist substantially downwardly vertical penetration of the brace member and the other flange of which is presented to the ground to resist substantially horizontal movement of the brace member.

WILSON D. SELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 13,622 Linkletter Sept. 30, 1913 306,602 Flory Oct. 14, 1884 981,849 Ernst Jan. 17, 1911 

